Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse and dependence
In the United States, easy access to prescription drugs such as sedatives and pain medications is posing a major threat, especially drug abuse and dependence. The nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs (NMUPD), which is the same as using drugs without a prescription, and it is very common among young adults. For instance, drugs such as sedatives, opioids, and stimulants are commonly misused by adolescents simply for the experience or the feeling. The nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as one of the most common drug problems in the United States. However, the rate of misuse has slightly declined in recent years. The victims of misuse are mostly young teenagers who don’t have much information …show more content…
A teenager’s mental status and some environmental factors may significantly affect a teenager to abuse drugs. Mental illness can have a significant effect on drug misuse and dependence. Because of the stress and pressures that students experience at school and at home, many students are at a higher risk of experiencing mental discomforts such as anxiety and depression which can often result in undiagnosed and hence, untreated drug abuse. Additionally, many psychotherapeutic drugs as well as alcohol are being misused because of the feeling of excitement they cause. This form of drug abuse is highly associated with alcohol abuse. The early age of the onset of NMUPD is another reason for prescription drug misuse and …show more content…
The NMUPD is associated with individuals developing dependence, especially for the adolescents who start using it at early ages such as sixteen or even thirteen years of age. McCauley mentions, “According to recent estimates, over 2 million teens (aged 12 to 17 years; 9.3%) in the United States reported past-year NMUPD”(92). The prescribing of drugs at an early age can lead to drug abuse and dependence. If prescription drugs are introduced later in life, it will lower the chance that an individual will become addicted. According to studies done many adults have started the NMUPD before the age of 21. Research has shown that individuals who begin using drugs before age 15 are more likely to develop drug abuse and dependence in their life-time. Based on the increased risk related to early onset, the importance of developing prevention methods for reducing NMUPD between children and adolescents is
In the United States, easy access to prescription drugs such as sedatives and pain medications is posing a major threat, especially drug abuse and dependence. The nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs (NMUPD), which is the same as using drugs without a prescription, and it is very common among young adults. For instance, drugs such as sedatives, opioids, and stimulants are commonly misused by adolescents simply for the experience or the feeling. The nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as one of the most common drug problems in the United States. However, the rate of misuse has slightly declined in recent years. The victims of misuse are mostly young teenagers who don’t have much information …show more content…
A teenager’s mental status and some environmental factors may significantly affect a teenager to abuse drugs. Mental illness can have a significant effect on drug misuse and dependence. Because of the stress and pressures that students experience at school and at home, many students are at a higher risk of experiencing mental discomforts such as anxiety and depression which can often result in undiagnosed and hence, untreated drug abuse. Additionally, many psychotherapeutic drugs as well as alcohol are being misused because of the feeling of excitement they cause. This form of drug abuse is highly associated with alcohol abuse. The early age of the onset of NMUPD is another reason for prescription drug misuse and …show more content…
The NMUPD is associated with individuals developing dependence, especially for the adolescents who start using it at early ages such as sixteen or even thirteen years of age. McCauley mentions, “According to recent estimates, over 2 million teens (aged 12 to 17 years; 9.3%) in the United States reported past-year NMUPD”(92). The prescribing of drugs at an early age can lead to drug abuse and dependence. If prescription drugs are introduced later in life, it will lower the chance that an individual will become addicted. According to studies done many adults have started the NMUPD before the age of 21. Research has shown that individuals who begin using drugs before age 15 are more likely to develop drug abuse and dependence in their life-time. Based on the increased risk related to early onset, the importance of developing prevention methods for reducing NMUPD between children and adolescents is